Whatever your mode of transport there's always a road, rail track or flight path that leads to Sydney. For those that enjoy a bird's eye view, there are myriad flight options to Sydney destinations like the sea plane from Sydney's Rose Bay to Palm Beach.

There is a lot to see and experience in Sydney and how much of it you see and how well will depend a lot on how you get around Sydney.

Our Sydney Transportation Guide will tell you all you need to know about travelling in and around Sydney. Use the Sydney City Guide or click on our Australia Country Guide if you want to know more before travelling to Australia.

But if you're more a chin rubbing trainspotter, a rail revolutionary or just someone who enjoys a relaxing trip against the clickety clack of the track, Sydney and it's surrounds offers some amazing rail journeys both along the coast and inland corridors.

Sydney Transportation Guide

Getting to Sydney

The Sydney International Airport or T1 is officially called the Kingsford Smith Airport. It is one of the top ten airports of the world and almost every major airline flies into T1. In fact the inaugural flight of the next generation A380 from Singapore will be to the Kingsford Smith airport.

Needless to say, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is very strict at the Sydney International Airport. Australian Quarantine laws are very strict and any breach of these invites immediate isolation and penalty. If you are doubtful about the safety of any of the items in your baggage, the most prudent policy is to declare them.

The Arrival Hall, into which you step in after completing the immigrations formalities, is literally a one-stop shop. Available at hand are currency exchange counters, free Internet access, phone and transport information booths, ATMs, car rentals agencies, mobile phone rental agencies, lockers, showers, toilets, shops, cafes and newsagents and what have you.

Airport Express

Visitors can take the Airport Express services either to go to the domestic terminal or to reach prominent areas of Sydney. The Airport Express 300 operates seven days a week between 6.00am and 10.00pm to the City Centre, Town Hall, Wynyard and Circular Quay.

Getting around in Sydney

An enchanting way of getting around Sydney's tourist attractions is by seaplane. You will get a marvellous panoramic view from above and it's a very novel experience with various tourist add-ons. Seaplane operators often have packages that include a visit to a vineyard or a beach, with and without a meal thrown in. The seaplanes fly from Rose Bay and Palm Beach to various destinations in Sydney.

Sydney rail service

The Sydney rail service is probably one of the best ways to see Sydney. It is known to be safe, reliable, clean and extensive as well. It extends from Bondi Junction in the east across Sydney, right up to the Blue Mountains in the west. The train services start from 4.30 am and run till midnight. After midnight commuters may use the Night Ride services. Tickets bought on the City Rail may be used for the Night Ride service. Trains that travel within the city depart every few minutes. Trains to areas further away from the City Central depart almost every 30 minutes.

Leisure tickets from Sydney Rail

Sydney Rail offers leisure tickets of different itineraries that are most suitable for tourists who want to see Sydney and its surrounding areas.

Monorail service

Sydney's monorail was a bicentennial gift to Sydneysiders in 1988 and is one of the few elevated rail systems in the world that plies through the centre of a city.

The monorail offers a breathtaking view of the city and the harbour and is certainly a tourist attraction in itself. It links Sydney City to Darling Harbour, which is the optimum point of access to the other tourist attractions that Sydney offers. Along the way, there are stops at prominent stations like the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Haymarket Park Plaza, City Centre, World Square and Darling Park.

Get around conveniently by monorail

The Sydney monorail is truly an "elevating" experience and a must see. The standard fare is a reasonable $2.50 while all-day tickets are also available at $6.

The Light Rail Service

The Light Rail Service is of recent origin. It was started in 1997, and is the best mode of transport to get to the interior western suburbs of Sydney. These trams run from Sydney Central to Wentworth Park every 15 minutes, throughout the day and night, and all around the year.

Easy on the wallet

Sydney's Light Rail Service is truly light on the pocket, as the tariff ranges from $2 to $3 only.

By bus

The bus routes are extensive and cover the length and breadth of Sydney. The buses are again a very economical way of getting around, with the fares based on the distance covered. The standard fare varies from $1.20 to $4.60. However, the downside of travelling by the bus is that the frequency of these buses varies, and some routes operate only at peak hours.

The Sydney Explorer

This is a conducted sightseeing tour operated by the State Transit and covers the major tourist landmarks of Sydney like the Opera House, Darling Harbour, The Royal Botanic gardens, and Kings Cross among others. The buses are air-conditioned, have a commentary on board about the various tourist spots covered and include discount offers at some prominent tourist spots that you visit along the way. But what is most attractive about the Sydney Explorer is that you can get off at any stop, stroll around at leisure and catch the next bus when you are ready to move on.

An excellent option for tourists

At a fare of around $40, given its coverage, the Sydney Explorer is an excellent option to get around Sydney's tourist attractions.

By ferry

The water transport system in Sydney has a wide network. Ferries depart from Circular Quay and terminate there. There are two categories of ferries, the Jet Cats and the River Cats. The Jet Cats service the Circular Quay and Manly areas. The River Cats service the suburbs that are along the coast of the Parramatta River. There are also convenient sightseeing cruises during the day and in the evening on both the Jet Cats and River Cats.

What the Jets Cats and River Cats will cost you

Jet Cats and River Cats charge anywhere between $3.20 and $5.20 depending on the distance. Sightseeing Cruises are priced differently.

Special deals for visitors

The CityHopper:

Unlimited all-day train travel on CityRail for areas including Kings Cross, North Sydney and Redfern and unlimited bus travel on buses in the City Centre, Darling Harbour, Moore Park and Kings Cross.

The Sydneypass:

Available for 3, 5 and 7 days. Unlimited travel on all City Rail trains, Sydney buses and Ferries.

The DayRover:

Unlimited all day travel on CityRail trains within a specific area, Sydney buses and Sydney ferries.

Tickets are sold at most CityRail ticket offices and State Transit sales outlets. SydneyPass may also be bought on State Transit tourist services, including all Explorer and Airport Express buses.

Online help

For up-to-date information on train, bus and ferry travel in an area spanning Port Stephens in the North, Scone and Dungog in the Hunter, Bathurst in the West, Goulburn in the Southern Highlands, Bomaderry in the South and Sydney in the East, check out Transport Infoline. The site has a very useful Trip Planner utility to work out the best way to get from A to B.